COSATU KZN held its extended secretariat on 9th September 2008. The meeting was attended by affiliate chairpersons and secretaries. It deliberated and pronounced itself on the issues that are detailed hereunder.
As COSATU KZN we are very worried about death threats that are levelled against our members at Ulundi. The death threats to our members followed the launch of a COSATU local structure at Ulundi. We take these threats very serious because they are being made on the wake of the arms discovery at Inquthu. Equally, we do know the correlation between these threats and the training of mercenaries at Mlaba camp.
We remain puzzled by the conspicuous silence of the tribal Chief and the Chief Minister himself, Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi. We are puzzled because Mr Terror Lekota was denied access to the Mahlabathini area because he was said to have not reported his visit to the Chief Minister.
The question we asked ourselves, were these alleged mercenaries given permission by the Chief. We, nonetheless, welcome the arrests that were made with a hope that the matter will not be treated like that of Mr Phillip Powell.
COSATU reaffirms its 2005, 4th Central Committee resolution to drop the charges against Comrade Jacob Zuma. We are vindicated by the campaign of the Ethekwini region of the ANC and accordingly we pledge our impeccable support for this campaign.
Secondarily, COSATU calls on the state President to reinstate Mr Jacob Zuma to his position as the Deputy President of the country. We are making this call with an understanding that Judge Hilary Squires distanced himself from the remarks of "a generally corrupt relationship between Mr Zuma and Mr Shaik".
We are of the view that the President was misled by this poisonous lie which was peddled by the media. The continued persecution of Mr Jacob Zuma by the state institutions is validated by the affidavit of Mr Charles Kasinja Modise to the Pietermaritzburg high court.
We remain, steadfastly, committed to the view that Jacob Zuma is a victim of a political conspiracy by those who are happy with the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
It is no sheer coincidence that an offensive against the Zuma leadership is heightened at the time when interest rates, food prices, electricity costs and general living conditions are on the hike.
Proponents and supporters of the status quo have identified Zuma leadership as a potential threat because workers and the poor have identified him as the beacon of hope. The rich people in our society are using their influence over state institutions and the fourth estate to barricade Zuma from becoming the next state president.
Cartoons bearing derogatory depictions are consistent with this campaign. Their venomous hatred for democracy continue to abuse the constitutional enshrined freedom of expression. Zapiro's cartoon is reminiscent of the apartheid "swartgevaar" threat that was used by the ruling class in order to elicit blind loyalty among the white people.
Zapiro is a disgrace to the positive role of the media. We believe he has reduced himself to a level of a political instrument for the ruling class. After all Mr John Horak (in his submission to the TRC) did warn about South African media that is infested with agents for certain interests.
COSATU KZN believes that the matter pertaining to Jacob Zuma is an economic matter. Accordingly, we seek to engage the Durban Chamber of Commerce, BMF and other role players. The forthcoming Provincial executive committee meeting will explore the possibility of embarking on an infinite strike until the matter is brought to finality. Enough is enough.
The extended secretariat expressed its disappointment with the state of soccer in the country. We were flabbergasted by Mr Raymond Hack's assertion that the failure of national team to qualify for the AFCON is not a train smash.
We believe it is plane crash. This below par performance by our soccer administrators is taking place while we are witnessing the unprecedented level of self enrichment by them. There is absolutely no commitment to the development of women's football. The FIFA World Cup is not inspiring development of soccer talent at local community level and schools' level.
Statement issued by Zet Luzipo, Provincial Secretary for COSATU KZN, September 10 2008
